Grab a huge blanket, that red and white checkered tablecloth and wicker basket full of delicious goodies because it’s picnic season. Get your sweetie and / or a group of friends and take a drive to a park, beach or mountain and set up camp for a few hours. It’s called quality time, and everybody deserves some. When else do you get to make way too much food and enjoy it in the great outdoors? Plus, there’s something about eating outside, somewhere scenic that just makes food taste better.
Like any outdoor sport, picnicking requires some gear. So pack up some plates, silverware, serving utensils, cloth napkins, garbage bags for trash and some wet-naps.
If you plan on drinking some nice wine, forgetting the corkscrew would be tragic, so don’t do it. A pocketknife always comes in handy, and if you’re using a grill, obviously, you’ll need charcoal briquettes, tongs, grill brush and matches.
To make your al fresco afternoon special, go with a themed menu. First up, is the classic comfort food lunch. It all starts with the only fried chicken recipe you’ll ever need that pairs perfectly with Ma Mae’s Biscuits. To round out your plate of perfection, whip up Bobby Flay’s Creamy Coleslaw and this knockout Potato Salad and we promise that a delightful outdoor snooze is in your future.
If that sounds too rich for your blood or like too much kitchen prep time, go with a three-salad, Salad Days menu. Classic Cobb Salad, Campanelle Pasta Salad and a Fresh Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing would make a stellar lunch loaded with flavors that really pop.
Still want lighter fare and even less time in the kitchen? You can’t go wrong with a lightning quick Italian lunch. Run by your local store and pick up a baguette, some fresh buffalo mozzarella, a bunch of asparagus and some sliced prosciutto and make a Caprese Salad and a batch of Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus.
Whatever you decide to eat or drink, enjoy the moment outdoors with those you care about. Life is precious, and as Warren Zevon used to say, “Enjoy every sandwich.”
